Cheryl Sternman Rule's Thanksgivukkah Menu: A Jerusalem-Inspired Meal

As you've probably heard, this holiday season includes the once-in-a-lifetime convergence of Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah, an occasion more popularly known as Thanksgivukkah. Cooks all over the country are embracing the opportunity to mix the traditional foods of two holidays on one table, and this week we are sharing Thanksgivukkah recipes and ideas from our favorite chefs and cookbook authors.

Today Cheryl Sternman Rule, author of Ripe, talks about the non-traditional holiday meal her family is planning, inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi's cookbook, Jerusalem.

What will you be serving at your Thanksgivukkah meal?

My husband's aunt is hosting this year, so I'll be a food-bearing guest rather than a hostess myself. Even before she realized that Thanksgiving and Hanukkah collided, she decided to serve an Israeli-themed Thanksgiving since she's so taken with Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi's cookbook, Jerusalem. When her daughter pointed out how perfect the timing was, everyone got even more excited about the menu.

Honestly, I'm excited about the whole meal. Since this is a non-traditional Thanksgiving menu, I can't wait to see how all the flavors play together and to enjoy the bounty of colors and textures on the table.

Do you have any advice for planning a memorable Thanksgivukkah meal?

Absolutely: get invited to someone's house (!) and be an easygoing and generous guest, approaching the combined holiday with an open mind and sense of adventure. There's nothing wrong with shaking things up a little.

Anjali is a former private chef who is currently a full-time nutrition student, with plans to become a registered dietitian. She lives in New Orleans with her husband and toddler. You can read more of her writing at Eat Your Greens.